UN chief to urge world leaders to prevent sexual abuse

In this March 8, 2017 file photo, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press conference at the UN in Nairobi, Kenya. Guterres has invited world leaders to a special event Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse – an issue that has left a black mark on the U.N.’s far-flung peacekeeping operations and persists despite U.N. vows to combat the scourge. Guterres told reporters this week that the United Nations has drafted a compact which he hopes the organization’s 193 member states will sign. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi, File)

UNITED NATIONS—Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invited world leaders to a special event Monday on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse—an issue that has left a black mark on the U.N.’s far-flung peacekeeping operations and persists despite UN vows to combat the scourge.

Guterres told reporters this week that the United Nations has drafted a compact which he hopes the organization’s 193-member states will sign.

According to the UN, it emphasizes “the shared principles” of the UN and member states for conducting peace operations including commitments to prevent sexual exploitation.

The UN chief said he is also creating a “Circle of Leadership” comprising heads of state and government who make commitments to end impunity for alleged perpetrators and to strengthen measures to prevent sexual exploitations and abuse in international deployments. /jpv